At first, I thought this term was made to apply to an undesirable body type, but I’ve heard it used by British English speakers a few times recently. As I understand it, the phrase is the more dignified equivalent of “gone to shit,” or the like.
Might anyone correct my interpretation, or enlighten me as to its origin?
Interesting link.
I had always interpreted the phrase to mean “started out just fine, but THEN went to shit.”
Accordingly, I always assumed it refered indelicately to a young “hourglass” shaped woman as she aged, gained weight and, er, grew a huge bottom.
I didn’t realize it, but there’s an uncanny similarity between this thread and the “physical types in England” one. 